The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
Go to topicAn external view of the Nadir (Earth Facing) panel. The antennae are mounted for the primary S-Band (seen here with its anechoic cap fitted to allow testing without radiating RF), the X-Band (which is not mounted in this picture) and the DORIS antenna used to receive the signals when the spacecraft passes over the DORIS beacons. The small bundles seen are the test thermocouples fitted in preparation for the environmental testing phase. The orange areas are the radiator panels for the units mounted behind.